Sunday, 5 January 2014

Benefit POREfessional: Agent Zero Shine | Review

This newly released spin-off product from Benefit Cosmetics, "The POREfessional: Agent Zero Shine" is a loose powder that you brush over make up to reduce shine and smooth the look of pores.

It comes in this quirky orange-toned cylinder packaging and you screw off the top to reveal where the powder dispenses from, similar to talc packaging (but way more fancy, of course!).

Benefit POREfessional: Agent Zero Shine | Review

The idea is to twist the top and tap the powder in to the lid, then use the brush that is included to roll it around the lid and sweep over your skin. This product comes with a brush, which is hidden and can be twisted off the other end of the cylinder tube (clever!).

I think it's a unique twist on the bog standard compact but it can be quite fiddly to handle when you're in a hurry! Just don't rush it or you might end up spilling powder everywhere!

I really like powders like this and I use them all the time, on nights out and especially on days when I'm getting photographs taken for an outfit post or a photo shoot because it gives a matte and flawless look.

I prefer this over dewy skin, especially on nights out (sweaty clubs!) I don't like my face shiny regardless to whether it looks like a "healthy glow" or not. It's easier to achieve a more natural look with a translucent powder than a full coverage foundation powder, which can be cakey or uneven.

As a comparison, I was currently using on Rimmel Clear Complexion Clarifying Powder which is a pressed powder but works in a similar way to POREfessional: Agent Zero Shine. The price of the Rimmel one is obviously a lot cheaper (£3.99) and it works great, but it's not as longer lasting as the one by Benefit. I feel that the Benefit one stays put for a few hours more before I have to re-apply.

It isn't a cakey finish but like with all powders, it can cling on to dry flakey patches so it might not be the best option for those with dry skin.

I use this on "good skin days" when my face is behaving itself and the powder becomes the perfect finishing touch! The POREfessional: Agent Zero Shine comes in one colour because it's a transparent, lightweight powder with an invisible finish.

20 comments

That biscuit is tooo cute! And the product looks pretty fab too! ;) It sounds like this would be great in the Summer when it gets a little warmer and shine and oils can be more prone. Must get my hands on it! x

I love the sound of this, I hate having a "healthy glow" too (ha!) - will definitely have to try this out. The original Porefessional is one of my must-have products so I'm sure this would fit nicely into my makeup bag too! x

That biscuit is pretty amazing! I don't know why I've never tried the Clear Complexion pressed powder before, I use the Stay Matte by Rimmel in transparent and it's the best I've tried even compared with the more high end brands. I would be interested to try the Benefit Agent Zero, but I wouldn't want to pay £23.50 to do so unfortunately. It's a lot of money to risk on a powder I think! Lovely honest review as always Sarah, and I agree with you on the 'healthy glow' thing - it's not for me either! xxx

I'm quite curious about this product. The packaging is quite unique (I never saw loose powders on tubes) and the brush looks nice. I was targeting the Laura Mercier and the Too Faced Powder (both pressed versions), but with this one,..I don't know. I'll probably get it later. Thank you very much for your review! Take care, have a nice day!*

I'm with you on the matte look! A dewy finish looks good on some people, but I'm definitely not one of them - if anything, it ends up making my face look super shiny. I usually shy away from powder products (except for a dusting of loose powder to set concealer), but it's something I'd like to try out just for the fun of fiddling around with it :P